2. THE NATURE OF SOURCES AND EVIDENCE

"Assess the usefulness and reliability of epigraphic evidence located on Pompeii's ampitheatre"

Grafitti from the Ampitheatre in Pompeii is reliable as it is a primary source, although the imformation that the epigraphic evidence may provide could be biased. The messages seem to be ranging from notes of self proclamation to blackmail or curses to those who don't vote for a particular person.

Quotes such as "M Claudius was here" simply show that there was a person by that name in Pompeii. "The worshippers of Isis ask you to elect C N Helvius as aedile" is an example of an interest group supporting a candidate for office. Although the latter quote may be useful to a historian studying politics and government process, the first one would not. "I had a most satisfying night of embraces in this [C Valerius Venustus's] bed" is an example of epigraphic evidence that is not all that useful but for a historian studying the societies values for sexuality or public announcement to the like.

The question of reliability comes into the accuracy of the translation. How do we know that the graffiti was really there? How do we know that this representation is true? The publisher could have easily changed or misrepresented the meaning of this epigraphic evidence.

With this in mind, the only conclusion to be made (if the translation is correct) the source is reliable and can be useful for historians studying various aspects of life in Pompeii - although some messages leave a lot to desired/interpreted.

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"Outline the available evidence for everyday life in Pompeii"

Historians can paint a picture of what everyday life was like in Pompeii, thanks to a wide array of evidence/primary sources available to them. The baths, ampitheatre, forum and homes provide great insight as to what citizens of Pompeii did each day.

In Pompeii people regularly bathed in public. The public baths were frequented by citizens to socialise as well as to clean themselves. We know this because of the structures that were the baths -they had hot and cold baths and often a palaestra, gymnasium, garden and restaurants for the Pompeiians to use.

It is known that people did most of their socialising and spent most of their time outside of their home as they were often small and cramped. There were many places to dine and wine and fish was the most common food as Pompeii was a coastal town. Vineyards and farms also made wine, fruit and vegetables in plenty supply.

The Ampitheatre and theatre were places for Pompeiians to enjoy gladitorial contests, and dramatic entertainment. The ampitheatre could seat approximately 20,000 people. Staged exhibitioned killings provided an enjoyable passtime for many of Pompeii's citizens.

The amount of evidence available for everyday life in Pompeii is huge. Structural evidence provides a solid example to what/how (likely) the majority of the town was associated with/conducted their lives.

This source paint a picture of the fashion of pre 72AD Campanians. It implies that a female could read and write as indicated by the wife holding a writing tablet. Also it tells historians athe creative tools used in the era of Pompeii and Herculaneum. As well as being artistic, the painting reflects the image of two Pompeiian people. It tells a historian the type of material (possibly) used for clothing, whether or not a man shaved facial hair etc... It is evident that he is wearing a collared shirt, which would imply that collared shirts have been in production for at least 2000 years. The source is a primary source as it was painted in the time that Pompeii thrived. A portrait may be a very useful source to a historian or archaeologist and can be classed as reliable - providing a carbon dating process supports the authenticity.